Some of you may ask what is Libby? Libby is an easy-to-use app that allows you to borrow eBooks and digital audiobooks with your library card for free. Libby has thousands of Adult, Teen, and Children’s titles that you can borrow using your iPad, tablet, or phone by downloading the app from your app store. One of my favorite types of content available on Libby are the Read-Alouds that with their narration and word highlighting make them perfect to share with pre-readers and beginning readers. For fun, I have highlighted 3 of my favorite Read-Alouds that share the subject of music and close family bonds here:

The Key from Spain
By Debbie Levy & Sonja Wimmer
This book tells the real-life story of Ladino musician Flory Jagoda. Flory’s ancestors were forced to leave Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. They took with them their Ladino language and musical heritage when then resettled in Bosnia. Young Flory grew up surrounded by the music of her ancestors and the love of her family and friends. She became an accomplished guitarist, accordionist and singer. Like her ancestors before her Flory had to flee from her home. During World War II, she fled Europe and immigrated to the United States bringing with her her musical heritage. She spent her life sharing her music and is in her nineties today. The lovely narration and illustrations in The Key From Spain are both clear and soft. This book made me want to hear Flory Jagoda’s music. I especially enjoyed listening and watching this video of her performing “Ocho Kandelikas” at the 2012 Richmond Folk Festival on YouTube. The Library of Congress also has this full concert performance of Jagoda's on YouTube.

Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
By Chieri Uegaki & Qin Leng
In this story, Hana decides to sign-up and perform at the talent show even though she has just started studying the violin. Her love of the violin is inspired by her grandfather or Ojiichan who played his violin for her daily when she visited him in Japan. I especially enjoyed Hana’s courage and tenacity in practicing to play at the talent show despite her brothers’ predictions of disaster. The soothing narration and delicate illustrations are lovely! Afterward, you might want to watch these performances by Christian Li, Karolina Protsenko, and Leah Flynn.

I Got the Rhythm
By Connie Schofield-Morrison & Frank Morrison
I Got the Rhythm tells the story of how the joy of music surrounds a little girl and her mother when they visit the park. The young girl hears the sounds of music from everything around her and begins to happily dance encouraging those around her to dance too. The rhythmic narration follows the text’s beat and the lively illustrations are full of vibrant color and joy! At home you can find some songs that inspire you and your child to dance together.